Press Releases

Statement by the United States Embassy

December 20, 2010 Minsk, Belarus

The United States strongly condemns all election day violence in Belarus. We are especially concerned over excessive use of force by the authorities, including the beating and detention of several presidential candidates and violence against journalists and civil society activists. We are alarmed that candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu was forcibly taken from a Minsk hospital by unknown individuals and we urge his safe and immediate return. We call on the Government of Belarus to exercise restraint during the remainder of the electoral process, which should be free of further intimidation and violence.

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